[HiVLTAGE]

 
I have the HD580s, with the HD600 grilles and HD650 cable, so they are essentially the HD600s. The Magni works fine for me. Be advised that I don't believe in amp or cable sound so long as both products are competent designs, correctly executed and not conceived to sound different.
 
Tim

 
Good to hear! That means I don't have to get more expensive equipment. 
 
Gonna start saving now.

 

[StanD]

   
Good to hear! That means I don't have to get more expensive equipment. 
 
Gonna start saving now.

That kind of thinking is gonna start a new global recession. 

 

[parbaked]

  So you don't believe that a USB cable can improve the soundstage or treble or bass....? 

A balanced USB will improve channel separation, but only if your ears and components are good (expensive) enough to discern the difference! 

 

[StanD]

  So you don't believe that a USB cable can improve the soundstage or treble or bass....? 

 
 

  A balanced USB will improve channel separation, but only if your ears and components are good (expensive) enough to discern the difference! 

Only if one parboils their ears. 

 

[parbaked]

  Only if one parboils their ears. 

...which also solves that peaky treble on the HD800.

 

[frequencies]

Picked up the Crack from customs office today (payed 60€ :\). Let's see when I will do the soldering part (no hurry, Modi not ordered yet).

 

[madwolfa]

I'm still wondering how Asgard or Valhalla would fare against hybrid X-CAN V3 amp with pair of Russian tubes... Would that be worth an upgrade? And then I'm also struggling to decide between Asgard and Valhalla for my HD-600. Spec-wise Asgard looks better and I don't really believe the good design (either SS, valve or hybrid) would give any "tube-like" sound coloration...

 

[StanD]

  I'm still wondering how Asgard or Valhalla would fare against hybrid X-CAN V3 amp with pair of Russian tubes... Would that be worth an upgrade? And then I'm also struggling to decide between Asgard and Valhalla for my HD-600. Spec-wise Asgard looks better and I don't really believe the good design (either SS, valve or hybrid) would give any "tube-like" sound coloration...

I can say that the Asgard 2 sounds great with my HD600's as well as HE-500's. If you like tubes because they get warm 

 The Asgard 2 is a Class A SS Amp and it does get nice and warm. They took a lot of care with that design as it's discrete (No Opamps) and in high gain no closed loop feedback, very little in low gain. So its low distortion is due to careful design work. It's as quiet as a mouse as far as noise and can be plenty loud when playing music.

 

[madwolfa]

  I can say that the Asgard 2 sounds great with my HD600's as well as HE-500's. If you like tubes because they get warm 

 The Asgard 2 is a Class A SS Amp and it does get nice and warm. They took a lot of care with that design as it's discrete (No Opamps) and in high gain no closed loop feedback, very little in low gain. So its low distortion is due to careful design work. It's as quiet as a mouse as far as noise and can be plenty loud when playing music.

 
Do you think Musical Fidelity V-DAC II source would match Asgard well, or should I consider upgrading to something like Bifrost... from what I know, V-DAC is very capable itself, though..

 

[madwolfa]

I just don't want to race into diminishing returns. At the same time I have that "itch" in me... y'all probably familiar with.

 

[StanD]

   
Do you think Musical Fidelity V-DAC II source would match Asgard well, or should I consider upgrading to something like Bifrost... from what I know, V-DAC is very capable itself, though..

 
 

  I just don't want to race into diminishing returns. At the same time I have that "itch" in me... y'all probably familiar with.

Can't really say about the  V-DAC II but I will say that there's been an outbreak of the "itch" on Head-FI that just won't go away. IMO, at one point one really can't tell the difference and going above 96K and 24 bit is just wishful thinking. Even 24 bit may not be of any practical value except with digital attenuation. But it may feel good getting the latest and greatest figamajig, even if one's ears don't give a rat's petard.

 

[parbaked]

  I'm still wondering how Asgard or Valhalla would fare against hybrid X-CAN V3 amp with pair of Russian tubes... Would that be worth an upgrade? And then I'm also struggling to decide between Asgard and Valhalla for my HD-600. Spec-wise Asgard looks better and I don't really believe the good design (either SS, valve or hybrid) would give any "tube-like" sound coloration...

X-CAN is a very good amp, especially with the X-PSU, less so with the wall wort.
I would not upgrade amp but would consider upgrading power supply.

 

[hodgjy]

   
Do you think Musical Fidelity V-DAC II source would match Asgard well, or should I consider upgrading to something like Bifrost... from what I know, V-DAC is very capable itself, though..

I have the V-DAC II and have used it with a variety of amps, including the A2.  It's a fine DAC and will serve you well.

 

[madwolfa]

  X-CAN is a very good amp, especially with the X-PSU, less so with the wall wort.
I would not upgrade amp but would consider upgrading power supply.

 
Unfortunately X-PSU still costs an arm and a leg (if you're able to find it) and I'm hesitant spending a ton of money on a decade old component.
Whole Asgard would cost what X-PSU is now being sold for.

 

[StanD]

   
Unfortunately X-PSU still costs an arm and a leg (if you're able to find it) and I'm hesitant spending a ton of money on a decade old component.
Whole Asgard would cost what X-PSU is now being sold for.

Can you find a used one? Of course you risk that going bad sooner than a new one and having to get it repaired or going back to square one.